My condolences on such loss crammed into such a short time. As (bad) luck would have it, I went through the same thing in 2001-02. Right up front I'll suggest that if you feel the need, file for an extension of 2007. I sure did.

You wrote:

I am filing my parents taxes for 2007, using Turbotax.

Dad passed away in 8/2007, so he is marked as decedent; Mom filing as surviving spouse.

Since these are specific terms with consequences, I'll nitpick. For 2007 their filing status is Married, filing jointly. For 2008 your mother's filing status will be Single.

Dad's RMD from IRA was NOT made in 2007 (scheduled for 12/07); Mom elected to take his IRA as her own, so they overrode the named owner of the account. She took her minimum distribution (9/07) as the amount determined 12/31/06 based on her age and the balance of the account. The Bank has told me that since the account was retitled in advance of the distribution date, that no distribution is necessary.

I'm not clear as to exactly what you're saying. Since your mother elected to treat the IRA as her own, for 2007 she can choose between a distribution based on your father's life expectancy at the beginning of the year or her own. A distribution is required, but not a double. It sounds like everything was OK here. See the discussion on page 36 of Publication 590.

Mom was hospitalized at the time that I was working on her taxes; I have her power of attorney.I was searching for 3 errant 1099s in order to complete and submit the filing.

I now have all of the information to file, but Mom passed unexpectedly last week. I have updated that fact in TurboTax, and it is now no longer reverting to requiring Dad's RMD for 2007 to be input. (FWIW, I am also Executrix of her estate)

You must not confuse TurboTax. Despite the ads, it's a really stupid, but accurate and neat, adding machine / typewriter. You're dealing with the 2007 return, and contrary to reality, your mother is still alive. Reverse her date of death input.

I am executrix of the will. I was planning to efile her returns for simplicity purposes. Can I do so, or must I send in paper based forms with death certificates, surrogates certificates, etc?

Maybe one of the pros who deals with the intricacies of e-file will know for sure, but I think you qualify for e-filing. TT will tell you if you don't.

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